Vietnam may be a closed country, but the people are far from it. I had the opportunity to meet some of the most kind, generous, and loving people. This past month, I allowed myself to fully invest in the ministry and the people. I allowed them to impact my life, more so than even I impacted them. With my freeing experience in Madagascar I wanted to continue living out that freedom and allowing my actions to be based on the overflow of that. I no longer wanted to be stuck with the insecurities of not being good enough or the fear of being rejected. I declared no to satan and yes to Christ in Madagascar and I was determined to live that out.
The way I’ve decided to do that is by living out that it’s not about being good enough but rather just showing up and doing the best I can. To show up, see people where they are, and genuinely care about where there life is and where it’s headed. This month for me, was all about saying yes.
Saying yes to ministry even when the rest of my team was sick. Choosing to say yes to uncomfortable conversations that lead me outside my comfort zone. Yes to playing soccer even though I have no foot eye coordination. Yes, to praying for an elderly woman on her front porch, even though it’s a closed country. Yes, to letting people change me. Yes to adventure. Yes to being goofy with kids and going Banana’s. Yes to trying a duck egg. Yes, to all the things that the Lord had and has planned for me.
Choose to say YES! One moment of discomfort can lead to the most beautiful of memories. I know, because I’ve pushed through my own human discomfort and have been rewarded with the most precious of memories.
My team and I played soccer a few nights for ministry. Yes, these 14 year old girls beat us!
We also wedding crashed! Ended up with front row seats and ate lunch with the wedding party!
On Saturday’s we ate breakfast with the local pastors and then had a Bible study!
Julie and I taught english through song in preparation for an end of the month performance for all the students parents. Here I’m teaching them correct pronunciation.
Of course after they get the pronunciation correct… we add dance moves!
We also got to help the church build a brick wall around their property!
Swimming at the base of a water fall!
I tried a duck egg! (which was surprisingly very good…minus the thought of it being a duck fetus)
After the closing program the kids blessed us with rice hats!
I couldn’t have asked for a better month with these awesome people! Thank you Tuy and Vi for blessing us with awesome friendships that I will never forget!
